Butte doors aren't closed to fracking, but a permit and public review may be required

OROVILLE — A citizens group did not get a moratorium on fracking, but the county Water Commission recommends the county require a permit, including public and environmental review, before fracking takes place.

During a relatively mild discussion Wednesday, the Water Commission voted 4-2 to pass the recommendation along to the Board of Supervisors.

Fracking involves injecting chemicals and water into the ground, under pressure, to remove gas and oil.

The Board of Supervisors will make the final decision, and may refer the item to the Planning Commission for more debate.

Citizens Action Network brought up the issue in November, and 18 people spoke about their concerns that fracking can harm the environment.

The group hoped the Water Commission — and later the Board of Supervisors — would either put a moratorium in place, or place the question on the local ballot. If the county did not agree, the citizen group plans to collect signatures for a ballot initiative.

County staff said no fracking takes place here currently.

A few weeks ago, Tony St. Amant, who attends most Water Commission meetings, sent in a letter with the compromise chosen this week.

"My suggestion is to make a simple revision to the Butte County Zoning Ordinance ... which defines oil and gas extraction activities," St. Amant wrote.

Already a public hearing and conditional use permit is required for oil and gas extraction. By adding "hydraulic fracturing/fracking" to the rules, the permit and public hearing would also be required.

St. Amant noted a representative from the Western States Petroleum Association came to Butte County the last time fracking was on the Water Commission agenda.

With opposition, the ballot item might not be easy to win, he said.

Water Commissioner Larry Grundmann said he liked St. Amant's letter, and agreed.

Commissioner John Scott agreed. "It won't stop what they're going to do," but would require more county oversight.

The state of California recently passed new rules for fracking, http://goo.gl/e9g1eX, but there is nothing to stop a county from setting its own permit process, County Counsel Bruce Alpert said.

"This can always be adjusted in the future," Alpert said later in the conversation. "Or we could say we'll enact it for five years and then re-evaluate."

Commissioner Ryan Schohr voted against the proposal. Fracking takes place all over the country, Schohr said. "I don't think fracking automatically leads to problems with or aquifer or agriculture."

Commissioner Ernie Washington also voted no.

"Nobody is saying no. We're saying get a permit," Grundmann said.

A leader of Citizens Action Network, Dave Garcia, said he was glad to see the vote by the board. "We would prefer something stronger," but the change would be acceptable for now.

Overall, the group still plans to push ahead with a ballot initiative. Already CAN is collecting signatures, with a goal of 15,000 before the ballot deadline.